In the air, the Beast Emperor stared intensely at Aomori. Seeing him bring back two seemingly ordinary, plain-looking humans, he couldn't help but sneer, "This is your 'method'? Stop joking around. That staff from earlier was at least somewhat interesting."
After throwing Saitama out, Aomori turned back and smiled at the Beast Emperor. "Let him fly for a bit. He's going to give us a surprise."
"I don't believe it either. Saitama is strong, but he's not much stronger than I am," Flashy Flash said, sounding somewhat dejected. "That big thing down there is a creature from a different dimension entirely."
"Since when did you have the delusion that Saitama was in the same dimension as you?" While treating Flashy Flash with Healing Spell, Aomori shouted toward Saitama, who was about to make contact with God's physical body: "Saitama! Take it down, and I'll reward you with a limited-edition Gundam!"
"Limited-edition Gundam? That high-end, domineering, top-tier robot?!" Remembering the elegant lines of the Gundam Child Emperor piloted, Saitama's eyes lit up. A shudder-inducing power surged from deep within his body, manifesting as a searing aura that shot toward the heavens. His few remaining hairs fluttered stubbornly.
Saitama clenched his fist, focused every ounce of his strength, and slammed it into the cheek of God's physical body.
BOOM!
A world-shaking explosion rang out. The Beast Emperor and Flashy Flash watched in shock as the supposedly indestructible skin on the giant's cheek suddenly caved in.
"Impossible! How can it be so... bouncy?!"
The Beast Emperor clutched his head, face full of disbelief.
"Not bad," Aomori nodded with satisfaction.
In smooth sailing, you rely on Darkshine; in adversity, you rely on King; but in a desperate crisis, you have to count on Saitama.
The giant's massive head was snapped violently to the side. Not only that, but the physical body of God, which had already planted one thick leg on the surface, staggered from the force of Saitama's punch.
Seeing this, Garou's pupils shrank. He quickly leaped onto the giant's body.
After wobbling twice, the mountain-like giant crashed back down. The long-suffering earth was pulverized once more, leaving not a single patch of intact ground. A dust storm erupted, spreading to the outskirts of the neighboring cities.
…
Fubuki and the others, who had been transported to the adjacent city by Pidgeot, were stunned by the terrifying sight.
"That enormous giant... who knocked it down?"
"Is there even a question? It must have been Chairman Aomori personally!"
"Makes sense. Who else besides him has that kind of power?"
"With Chairman Aomori there, we're sure to win!"
"Yeah." Mumen Rider nodded in deep agreement, though he soon worried for Saitama's safety. "He didn't evacuate with us. I hope he's okay."
Glasses, standing nearby, patted his shoulder. "Senpai, don't worry about that guy. I've seen Saitama in life-threatening situations many times, and the next day he's always back to being energetic. His tenacity far exceeds our expectations."
"Right." Mumen Rider braced himself. "Let's go evacuate the civilians. I have a feeling this place won't be safe for long either."
"Exactly. If nothing else, these constant earthquakes are a major threat," Glasses added.
Their suggestion was met with responses from many heroes; no one wanted to just stand around waiting.
"Fubuki, what about you?"
"I'm going to stay and watch. Maybe there will be a time when I can help," Fubuki thought for a moment and shook her head. "Besides, I have to keep an eye on her."
Mumen Rider glanced at Psykos, whose mouth was still hanging wide open, and nodded. "Alright. Just be careful."
"I will. Oh, and take Saitama's little black dog with you."
"Got it."
Once the group departed, Fubuki looked toward the battlefield of Z-City, clasping her hands in prayer. "Sensei, you have to win!"
…
"It seems your plan failed."
Blast, noticing the movement below, smiled at the God outside the seal.
"You should understand that an attack of that level cannot truly harm me," God said in a flat tone.
"So what? As long as your physical body doesn't interfere with us repairing the seal, you won't have a chance to become one."
"Is that so?" God remained noncommittal, his reaction staying indifferent.
He seems completely unconcerned. What exactly is he planning? Blast's face darkened as he increased the intensity of the seal restoration.
…
"This guy's skin is really tough." After toppling God's physical body with a single punch, Saitama landed on its chest and rubbed his wrist. "But it's probably not completely finished yet like this."
Thinking of his reward, Saitama began to crack his knuckles, preparing to give the big guy a few more heavy hits.
"Hey, were you the one who knocked it down?"
Saitama turned and saw the tattered, panting Garou. "Oh, it's you, Horned Guy."
"My name is Garou, not Horned Guy!"
"Ah, sorry. I accidentally said what I was thinking out loud." Saitama chuckled and rubbed his head. "Garou, right? Yeah, I just punched it once."
"Just one punch?" Garou froze, staring at Saitama in silence.
"Um, was there something else? If not, I'm going to finish this big guy off for good," Saitama said urgently. He was terrified his reward would grow wings and fly away.
"I'm coming too," Garou said in a low voice.
At that moment, the giant's body on the ground slowly sat up, forcing Saitama and Garou to dash upward. They managed to avoid falling off and reached its shoulder.
Without a word, Saitama delivered a heavy punch, caving in a section of its neck.
Not to be outdone, Garou leaped high, using gravity to accelerate, and slammed his fist down as well.
A different sensation surged through him; he immediately realized that his attacks could now also leave a large crater in God's physical body.
Its physical durability has weakened significantly, Garou thought, glancing at Saitama. No wonder he could knock the giant down. That explains it.
With his doubts resolved, his body felt incredibly light, and his punches became even more powerful.
"Again! Monster-Slaying God-Killer Fist: God Slayer!"
…
Seeing that God couldn't get up for the time being, the Beast Emperor didn't want to miss the chance to kick a man while he was down. "I'm going in too."
"Flashy, how about you?" Aomori had mostly healed his injuries with Healing Spell.
"Of course. That goes without saying." Flashy Flash had long been unable to suppress his restless heart.
"Good. Go then." Aomori let go and tossed Flashy Flash toward the giant.
"Eh? You're not coming?"
"You guys go first. I have to deal with some old friends. I'll join you shortly."
"Old friends?"
Just as Flashy Flash was puzzled, the earth near God's physical body shattered once more, and three massive forms drilled out.
They had elongated bodies stretching from several to dozens of kilometers long. The legs on either side of their bodies were as numerous as hair, glinting with a cold light.
Three centipede monsters of varying sizes made a late but grand entrance.
"I am the Centipede Sage. Guided by the call of God, I have come to eliminate you rebellious mortals."
"I am the Centipede Patriarch. I shall destroy you and avenge my children and grandchildren who died so miserably at your hands!"
"I am Elder Centipede. Do you still remember me, Aomori? This time, no one can save you!"
The slimmest of the centipede monsters immediately locked onto Aomori. Hundreds of sickle-like legs scurried across the ground as its entire body slammed toward Aomori like a high-speed train.
"Elder Centipede? You're actually still alive. If you survived, you should have cherished your life. Why insist on coming here to die?" Aomori shook his head, ignoring Elder Centipede's attack.
"You're the one who will die! Give me your life!" Elder Centipede shot into the sky, opening its bloody maw, its two giant mandibles clicking and snapping wildly.
"Heh." Aomori's figure blurred as he actively charged into Elder Centipede's mouth.
"Hahaha! Seeking your own destruction! Watch as my digestive fluids melt you into a puddle of mush!" Elder Centipede was ecstatic, feeling its revenge was already complete.
However, its joy was short-lived.
Instead of melting as expected, Aomori began wreaking havoc inside its body.
"Thunder-Light Duality Fist!"
Aomori went all out, punching from head to tail, literally smashing his way through Elder Centipede. Floating in mid-air, he said coldly, "Sorry, you showed up too late. This is the version of the game where gods and immortals are fighting."
"Less than a year... this is impossible!" With those final words, Elder Centipede turned to ash and dissipated in the wind.
"Not bad." Seeing Aomori handled things with ease, Flashy Flash felt relieved enough to join the group beatdown of God.
It all happened too fast. The Centipede Sage and the Centipede Patriarch hadn't even had time to enjoy their enemies' despair before they saw the tragic end of their kinsman.
"Elder!" Seeing the most promising member of the clan killed, the Centipede Patriarch was enraged, its eyes filled with killing intent as it looked at Aomori. "Human, you're dead! I will kill you!"
It prepared to charge and fight Aomori to the death.
"Wait!" The Centipede Sage stopped it, saying in a low voice, "Did you not see how he killed the Elder? He's troublesome. We'll settle the score with him slowly after we complete God's mission."
"Kami-sama..." The Centipede Patriarch went silent. Helping God was the consensus of their clan.
As long as they helped God return to Earth, the Centipede Clan could become the masters of the planet, entering a glorious era of prosperity.
For the future of the entire clan, the Centipede Patriarch took a deep breath and decided to let Aomori go for now. "Just you wait!"
It turned with the Centipede Sage, preparing to move against Saitama's group jumping around on God's physical body.
"Hey, I didn't give you permission to leave yet." Aomori flashed in front of the two giant centipedes and sneered, "Sorry, but it's not a matter of whether you'll let me go. It's that I'm not willing to let you go."
"Heh, you alone?" The Centipede Sage said disdainfully, "Don't think we are as weak as the Elder."
"Who said I was alone?"
Absol, Pidgeot, Darkrai, Ditto, Mewtwo, and Rayquaza, the six battle pets gathered together, lining up on both sides to surround them.
"Now it's seven against two."
Sensing Aomori's firm resolve, the Centipede Patriarch wasn't shocked, but rather delighted. "Sage, what's the call?"
"Since he's looking for death, we'll finish him off first."
"Ha! I was waiting for you to say that!" The Centipede Patriarch couldn't wait to launch its attack.
Its winding body surrounded Aomori, its sharp sickle-legs spinning rapidly like a blade storm. "Centipede Grand March!"
Aomori vanished and reappeared beside Pidgeot, saying softly, "Bond Evolution."
"Yes!" Pidgeot turned into a beam of light and merged into Aomori's body.
In an instant, Aomori's body shimmered with golden light. A suit of glittering golden scale armor covered him, and several tail-feather-like adornments extended from the back of his helmet. Behind him, a pair of broad, Great Peng wings spread out.
"Bond Evolution: Great Peng Form!"
"Your appearance changed?" The Centipede Patriarch was surprised, but its confidence didn't waver. "No matter how you change, the gap in our strength cannot be erased!"
It spun its body violently, charging toward Aomori like a drill. "3,333-Legged Grand Perforation!"
Unlike other Bond Evolutions, this form was simple and brutal. It had no flashy abilities; it simply drastically boosted Aomori's strength and speed.
With a light flap of his wings, he became a streak of golden light, colliding head-on with the spinning Centipede Patriarch without dodging.
The golden light flashed past. When he emerged again, Aomori was already beside the Centipede Sage.
"Hey! Your opponent is me!" The Centipede Patriarch stopped and shouted at Aomori, "Are you afraid of me?!"
"Heh. Moron, you're already dead."
"I'm dead? What are you—" Before it could finish, golden light erupted from every joint of the Centipede Patriarch's body, and the entire form exploded into fragments.
A rain of debris fell upon the Centipede Sage. It rolled its eyes and looked coldly at Aomori, saying word by word, "To kill the Patriarch so cleanly... you are strong."
"Now it's your turn."
"Don't underestimate me. I am completely different from those two."
"Yeah, just based on the number of legs, I can tell you're a bit more impressive."
"It's not just that!" the Centipede Sage shouted. "Do you know why I am called the Sage? Because I once ruled over ten thousand races. I've slain Ancient Dragons and devoured Giant Beasts. I became a Sovereign 400 million years ago; the Subterraneans, Seafolk, and Skyfolk were all my subjects. Now that I have returned, you too shall submit. I am the Emperor of all races!"
"Such a familiar backstory." Aomori shook his head, tossing the strange association to the back of his mind. He smiled and said, "I hate to break it to you, but I have to say one thing."
"Sorry, 'Emperor,' but the times have changed. You old-timers should just return to the dust where you belong."
"Haha! Time is meaningless to me. Hundreds of millions of years are but a flick of the finger." The Centipede Sage laughed loudly. "You, who cannot escape the erosion of time, are not qualified to rule this world!"
"Alright then." Aomori waved his hand. "Since you're so legendary, I'm sure you won't mind if we all attack at once."
At Aomori's command, a series of attacks slammed into the Centipede Sage, erupting in a cascade of explosions across its body.